Depression, War, and Recovery (1930-1951)

Great Depression

The worst economic downturn in US history, lasting from 1929 to the end of the 1930s.

Stock Market Crash

The trigger for the Great Depression, occurring on October 29, 1929, leading to a significant decline in stock prices.

Banking Failures

Widespread bank failures caused by the loss of confidence in the financial system during the Great Depression.

Reduction in Consumer Spending

Sharp decline in consumer confidence and spending on goods and services during the Great Depression.

International Trade Decline

Contraction in global demand and protectionist trade policies leading to a decline in international trade during the Great Depression.

Deflation

Falling prices across various sectors, negatively impacting producers and increasing the real value of debts during the Great Depression.

Unemployment

Widespread unemployment resulting from business failures and financial difficulties during the Great Depression.

Agricultural Crisis

Falling crop prices and severe drought conditions leading to challenges in the agricultural sector during the Great Depression.

Bankruptcies and Business Failures

Numerous businesses going bankrupt due to declining consumer demand and financial instability during the Great Depression.

Decline in Industrial Production

Plummeting industrial production due to decreased demand, leading to reduced employment and consumer spending during the Great Depression.

Government Responses

Shift toward more active government intervention, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, to stimulate economic activity during the Great Depression.

Global Impact

The Great Depression had a global impact, with countries worldwide experiencing economic hardships and unsuccessful international efforts to address the crisis.

United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization established in 1945 to promote international cooperation, maintain peace and security, and address global issues such as poverty, climate change, and human rights.

Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration issued by the United States and the United Kingdom in 1941, outlining their goals for the post-war world, including self-determination, disarmament, and the establishment of a system of collective security.

Dumbarton Oaks Conference

The Dumbarton Oaks Conference, held in 1944, was a meeting of representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China to discuss the establishment of an international organization to maintain peace and security after World War II.

Yalta Conference

The Yalta Conference, held in 1945, was a meeting of the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and the establishment of the United Nations.

San Francisco Conference

The San Francisco Conference, held in 1945, was a meeting of representatives from 50 Allied nations to draft the United Nations Charter, which established the framework and principles of the United Nations.

UN Charter

The document that established the principles, structure, and functions of the United Nations, outlining its goals and affirming the commitment to sovereign equality and peaceful dispute resolution among member states.

Security Council

The primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security within the United Nations, with the power to authorize the use of force.

General Assembly

The forum within the United Nations where all member states can discuss and coordinate on international issues.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Also known as the World Court, it is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, providing legal opinions and settling disputes between states.

UN Agencies and Specialized Bodies

Specialized agencies and bodies established by the United Nations to address specific issues such as health, education, and refugees.

Trusteeship Council

Established to oversee the administration of trust territories and ensure the well-being of their inhabitants, playing a role in the decolonization process.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A pivotal document adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, setting out fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, facilitated by the United Nations and the principles of self-determination and anti-colonial sentiments.

Impact of World War II

The war exposed the weaknesses of colonial powers, weakened their economies, and created expectations among colonized peoples for self-determination.

Cold War

The geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that influenced the decolonization process, as they sought to gain influence in newly independent nations.